Lessons learned daily

@GardenGerty (157016)
United States
July 22, 2021 8:27am CST
I have lived in this location almost six years. It is rural. Not all farmland but very lacking in industry and business. We have at least a ten minute drive everywhere, with nothing. Usually it is more like thirty to 60 minutes. Hubby has always said since we have older cars we should always have at least three in driving condition, just in case. I cannot argue with that. Yesterday's rapid trip to the VA brought home an aspect of that we had not considered. A car in "driving condition" has sufficient fuel to get you to your most important or needed destination. I am talking about, for us, a car should be able to drive at least 120 miles. We got in the car. I KNEW the pickup does not have enough gas to do much.The car message center told me we could go MAXIMUM 65 miles. Not good enough. We could have fueled in one of our reliable fuel stops Tuesday when we were coming home, but we did not. Soooo while we were trying to make it to VA during office hours, AND hubby was in a great deal of discomfort, we had to take the time to go into one of the towns on our route and get gas. The vehicles we have in our driveway are going to Have to have enough fuel. Oh, and the tires need to be good, and they need to be driven often enough the battery is charged. One of our new lessons learned daily. I need to be able to make it to and from the VA in any vehicle we own, any day.
12 people like this
11 responses
@popciclecold (35025)
• United States
22 Jul 21
I know that feeling all too well. We have nothing close to us, nothing. It really sucks. I know having more than one Vehicle is a necessity.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157016)
• United States
23 Jul 21
We are going to do a better job keeping it fueled.
@wolfgirl569 (93502)
• Marion, Ohio
22 Jul 21
I try to never let my truck go below three fourths of a tank.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157016)
• United States
23 Jul 21
You are very cautious.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (93502)
• Marion, Ohio
23 Jul 21
@GardenGerty I am like you and have to drive somewhere before I can get anywhere else it seems. Its a lot easier when I know I can just head out if I need to
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157016)
• United States
25 Jul 21
@wolfgirl569 That is what I told hubby when we had that fast trip down the road for the VA.
1 person likes this
@prinzcy (32326)
• Malaysia
24 Jul 21
I would freak out and start looking for fuel station once the bar hit two. I still can drive for around 11km with one bar but I prefer not to take the risk.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157016)
• United States
24 Jul 21
I am going to get him to change his ways and fuel more often.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48855)
• United States
22 Jul 21
We live in a rural area too with nothing much near us unless we drive 25 miles.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157016)
• United States
25 Jul 21
If we want reliable gas, it is over 30 miles.There is a station on the hiway, but the place gives me the creeps and it is often not open when it is supposed to be.
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
22 Jul 21
We fill all our cars when we see the 1/2 way mark.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157016)
• United States
22 Jul 21
That is a good plan. Easier on the car not to run so low, easier to get somewhere in a hurry, too.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
22 Jul 21
@GardenGerty Less worry for sure.
1 person likes this
@HazySue (39269)
• Gouverneur, New York
22 Jul 21
We are lucky in that in the past few years we have a wonderful hospital about 15 minutes away. I can remember living in a rural area that had no hospital or doctors within 90 miles. I guess we really do learn something new everyday.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157016)
• United States
25 Jul 21
We have good hospitals closer, but they are not good with the problem he is having and they actually injured him at least twice. For heart attack or stroke or respiratory we would be right over there. About fifteen minutes.
1 person likes this
@HazySue (39269)
• Gouverneur, New York
28 Jul 21
@GardenGerty You have to use what's available at that point.
• China
23 Jul 21
It happens to everyone.The benefit of living in that location is that you needn't worry about air pollution and the like.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157016)
• United States
25 Jul 21
Yes, there are many benefits here. I love it. Just need to plan ahead for emergencies, etc.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
22 Jul 21
A lot of things to be considered for sure, especially when you're far away from everything.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157016)
• United States
25 Jul 21
Yes. It takes a different line of thinking.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (72494)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
23 Jul 21
Always have to keep an eye on the gas lever,
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157016)
• United States
23 Jul 21
Around here especially. It makes sense since hubby has so many health issues.
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (15758)
• United States
22 Jul 21
My grand dad always taught me when I am at 1/4 tank go fill up. That way I'll never worry about running out of gas. Glad you were able to do so as you went to the VA. Hope your hubby is feeling better and the the appointment went okay for him.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157016)
• United States
22 Jul 21
We made it in plenty of time to the VA. I think hubby has gotten careless about filling up, but no more.
1 person likes this
@YuleimaVzla (1506)
• Maracaibo, Venezuela
23 Jul 21
It seems to me that your husband is right: to prepare some of their cars for any eventuality. It is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not be able to have it.
@GardenGerty (157016)
• United States
25 Jul 21
He is the one who has neglected to keep the gas tank full.